had not been before us."

"If there are a couple of them over there," said Ashman, scanning the
opposite bank, "they ought to be friends; and, after signaling to our
servants to cross, it is inexplainable that they should withdraw from
sight as they did."

"We can depend on _one_ thing," added the Professor; "we haven't seen
the last of them. I would be glad to believe them friends, but their
actions are unsatisfactory. I am inclined to think that the cause of
their withdrawing was your entrance into the canoe. For some reason
they wished to have nothing to do with any of us."

"It may be that since we are suspicious of them," said Fred, "they feel
the same toward us, and are unwilling to make our acquaintance until
after reconnoiterin' us. Helloa! what's up now?"

This question was caused by the action of Bippo, who, trembling in
every limb, and with the appearance of a person overcome with terror,
pointed to the forest behind them.




CHAPTER IX.

A NATIVE HERCULES.

The savages that had shown such pluck in the instances described, now
gave another striking proof of their courage.